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VA clinic purchases new van with donations
By Billy Ludt
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic is keeping the wheels rolling with a newly purchased van.
Volunteer coordinator Lori Stone said the clinic was in need of a new van for transporting patients to and from Wade Park VA Campus in Cleveland.
Total donations of $38,440 came from area American Legion posts, Veterans of Foreign Wars posts and other veterans organizations, as well as a $20,000 grant.
“If it wasn’t for them donating the money, we wouldn’t have the van,” said Stone.
Stone said it’s a common misconception that VA clinics purchase vans themselves.
The majority of vans used in Cleveland, she said, are donated by the American Legion or Disabled American Veterans.
The van the clinic had been using exceeded 200,000 miles from frequent trips to Cleveland.
The team of drivers responsible for taking patients to Wade Park are all volunteers.
“We all do it because it’s like we’re giving back,” Stone said.
Tom Semer, a retired Army veteran and volunteer driver, stopped at the VA after a doctor’s appointment with the intention of volunteering in some capacity. He read over materials for the position, and started on the process of becoming a driver.
“I was getting my picture taken up there, and [Lori] called me,” Semer said. “She said, ‘Can you drive Monday?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I got to get my photo and I’m ready.’
“I was thrown to the fire, but I enjoy it – I really enjoy it. It’s a good group of guys and women. It’s really fulfilling.”
Drivers take patients who are not comfortable making the trip to Cleveland themselves. Semer said drivers work every week of the year, and rarely cancel, except for the most severe weather.
Many positions at the VA clinic are filled by volunteers, and not every volunteer is a veteran.
“There are a lot of people who may not be a veteran, but have the heart to support a veteran,” Stone said. “Once you got a heart, that’s how you serve your country.”